Sturdy Fold Down Seat

ABSTRACT

The wall seat is a box unit that fits between conventional wall stud framing with no legs or hinges. The seat mounts inside a wall. To operate, pull on seat knob, lower to a perpendicular position and slide under the seat stop. This is accomplished because the 2 vertical slides of the box have an L shaped dado at the bottom. These coincide with protruding dowels at the bottom of the seat enabling the seat to slide freely in the dado. The ⅝″ radius on the bottom of the seat allows it to swing in an upward and downward motion without being obstructed. When the seat is in the perpendicular position and slid under the seat stop the position remains the same with a load of 210 lbs. The condo wall seat can be used anywhere space is limited and seating is needed with an attractive wood framed cabinet appearance.

CROSS REFERENCE APPLICATIONS

This application is a non-provisional application claiming the benefits of provisional application No. 61/704,870 filed Sep. 24, 2012.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a wall mounted fold down seat that does not touch the floor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Recessed, wall-mounted fold-down seats have found use in both stationary or movable dwelling structures such as condos, trains, hospitals, and other public and institutional facilities, such as prisons and jails.

In hospitals, for example, wall-hung, fold-down seats made of stainless steel and/or similar high-strength, non-deteriorating materials have found use in showering and bathing facilities where a patient may find it difficult or unsafe to stand while showering or bathing.

One greatly desired feature of this type of fold-down seat is that it should be completely free of a leg or legs which must rest upon the floor for seat support. Where leg supports are used, in order to adequately clean and sanitize the floor, the seat must be either completely removed from the area, or it must be moved from one position to another in order to clean the floor space in and around and under the legs of such chair or benches. This procedure is obviously eliminated when a fold-down seat without legs is utilized. This would especially be true in a ski condo where the seat is in a narrow hallway and is used to put ski boots on.

Another important characteristic of such a seat and seat stowage unit, is that it should be as thin as possible to permit its installation within the thickness of existing walls without the need to create a seat installation accessway completely through the mounting wall. This is virtually a requirement when the opposite side of the mounting wall also faces another room and is not concealed from view.

Other important features of this type of seat are well known to those knowledgeable in the seating art.

General, a fold-down, wall-mounted seat comprises a seat stowage housing and support structure mounted within a recess in a wall, a seating surface pivotally mounted to the seat stowage and support structure so as to be capable of being stowed in a vertical position and movable to a horizontal position for use as a seat to conveniently permit the seat to be lowered into its horizontal or seating position or raised therefrom to its vertical or stowed position.

Folding seats found in the prior art employed one or two angle brace and support members to carry the weight of a person on the seat. The angle brace and support member(s) are structurally connected between the sides of the seat and the seat stowage pan and support structure. The angle brace and support member(s) may comprise either a fixed member pivoted at one or both ends so as to be slideably engageable with either or both the seat or the seat stowage and support structure or a collapsible member pivotally attached to both the seat and seat stowage and support structure.

However, it is obvious that when angle braces and support members are used in a seat of this type that such adds both expense and weight to the seat.

Further, such members serve as undesirable obstructions to the seat user. Such obstructions require that the seat area be enlarged to permit a person to sit thereon without contacting the angle-brace members. This, of course, increases the size of the seat and its cost.

When the size of the seat is increased, the recess in the wall which is to accommodate the seat must be correspondingly enlarged as well.

The closest known prior art is U.S. Pat. No. 3,873,151 (1975) to Morris et al. Generally it is designed as a stainless steel fold down seat for use in showers, hospitals and penal institutions. The seat pivots down from the wall mounted storage and support housing. The pivot points are fixed. A rear edge of the seat abuts a pair of vertical metal U shaped struts which support the weight on the seat. The design problems with this invention include the cost and decor issues when used in a sheetrock wall in a condominium.

What is needed in the art is a simple, wooden, cabinet like fold down seat. The present invention provides a cabinet like appearance for use in a ski condo hallway as an example. The (preferably) wooden seat has a slot on each side of the support sides which support the pivot pins on the seat. The seat is pulled out to fold up and pushed in to place the rear edge under a (wooden) stop built into the cabinet style housing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The main aspect of the present invention is to provide a simple, low cost, cabinet like folding seat that can be installed between two by fours in a wall.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a bracing system that keeps the seat perpendicular to the wall.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide an easily installable device.

Other aspects of this invention will appear from the following description and appended claims, reference being made to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

There are distinct advantages to purchasing BIFMA-approved furniture. These advantages relate to assurance that the furniture will help to promote a working environment which is functional and healthy. Although non-BIRMA compliant furniture may also help to create this type of working environment, employers who purchase BIFMA-compliant furniture have the peace of mind of knowing the furniture has passed the tests designed by BIFMA. These tests are designed with BIFMA's goal of providing standards that support safe, healthy and sustainable environments. Furniture items that meet these requirements are likely to result in greater productivity and fewer work-related injuries or accidents.

Testing Done:

-   1. Chair Drop Functional Load—A 225 lb. weight is positioned 6     inches above the seat of the chair and allowed to free-fall onto the     center of the seat. The chair passes if there is no structural     breakage of loss of serviceability. -   2. Chair Drop Proof Load—a 300 lb. weight is positioned 6 inches     above the seat of the chair and allowed to free-fall onto the center     of the seat. The chair passes if there is no structural breakage of     loss of serviceability. -   3. Seating Impact Test—A 125 lb. weight is dropped from a height of     2 inches onto the surface of the chair seat for 100,000 cycles. The     chair passes if there is no structural breakage or loss of     serviceability. -   4. Results: Rating at 250 lbs.

The material for the seat will preferably be ¾″ 13 ply birch plywood for all parts, except the back of the box, which is ¼″ Masonite, and the frame of the box shall be of a solid wood material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of the seat closed.

FIG. 2 is a left side elevation view with the seat open.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the seat.

FIG. 4 is a right side elevation view of the case wall looking from the inside.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the seat stop.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the seat.

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the seat open.

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of the seat opening/closing in stages.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring first to FIG. 1 the folding seat 100 has an optional wood frame F around the cabinet C that houses the seat 6 which has a knob handle H. Nominal dimensions for all figures are d1=22¼∝; d2=17″; d3=3½″.

In FIGS. 2, 3 the cabinet C has a back wall BH, a bottom 1, and a top TH. The left side 4 is a mirror image of the right side 2. Each side at its lower segment has a slot (deep dado) D in which ride the pins P at each side of the seat 6. The vertical notch VD holds the pin P as the seat 6 is pulled out about two inches and then pivoted up to the closed position. In order to ensure a perpendicular angle to the back BH of the seat 6 when weighted, as shown by arrow FORCE, a wedge strip W is secured across the front of the bottom 1. Felt strips FELT 1, FELT 2 provide a smooth movement for seat 6. Screw holes SCR are used to secure the sides to the wall studs.

The stop 5 supports the weight of the FORCE. Stop 5 is secured to the sides 2, 4 and back BH of cabinet C.

In FIG. 3 the bottom 1 and stop 5 are covered by felt protectors FELT 1, FELT 2 to prevent scratches on the front of the seat 6 as it is opened and closed. Optional magnetic couplers MAG 1, MAG 2 can hold the door 6 closed.

In FIG. 4 the view is from inside the cabinet, the side 4 has a cutout 4 CUT to secure the back BH.

FIG. 5 shows an end view of the stop 5.

FIG. 6 shows the dimensions of the seat 6, d4=17 13/16″; d5=12⅝″. A rear leveled edge RBE facilitates opening/closing seat 6.

FIG. 7 shows a 16 inch center wall WA with studs ST and sheetrock SR. The cutout for cabinet C into the sheetrock SR can be done using a cardboard mockup. Screws SCR 1 are ready to secure sides 2, 4 to studs ST. The seat 6 may have a magnet latch MAG 1, MAG 2. The space SPACE in cabinet C may be used for storage, or a cushion (not shown) could be affixed at face CUSH of seat 6 which would take up the space SPACE. Molds for 19 and 24 inch on center walls are sized accordingly.

FIG. 8 shows the pull out, push in, in action to open and close the seat 6. Seat 6C shown in dots shows the seat 6 between the open and closed position arrows up, down show the motions imparted on seat 6 by a user.

A typical use is in an entry hallway that measures about three feet wide no room for a chair for putting on ski boots. The condo wall seat was designed to fit between conventional wall stud framing with 16″ and 24″ centers. This design is a simple one using no hinges or gadgets of any kind. The condo wall seat can be installed in any location in the house or office area where a seat is needed but don't have enough room for a chair. Installation takes under ½ hour with a drywall saw and a drill.

The condo wall seat could consist of 8 parts, some of these parts are optional and not shown such as the two piece stop and notched sides for the bottom.

1) ¾∝×3½×13 9/16″ with a beveled piece being ⅛″×⅞″ added to the front of the 3½″ board stopping ⅜″ back from both ends of the board. On the face of this board I install a piece of felt which protects the face of the seat when in use. This piece is called the box bottom. The box bottom also has a ¼′× 7/16″ deep dado located ¼″ from the back edge of the length of the board to allow the back to fit into.

2) ¾″×3½″×20½″ with a ¾″×1″ piece glued to the bottom face of the board. There is a ¾″×⅜″ deep dado located 1″ up from the bottom of the board. There is a ½″×½″ deep dado that looks like an L located 3/16″ above the ¾″×⅜″ deep dado to allow the seat pins to glide in. The L part of the dado stops ⅛″ back of the front edge of the board. The L part of dado faces up at the front edge of the board. There is a ¼″× 7/16″ deep dado located ¼″ from the back edge of the length of the board to allow the back to fit into. There are 6 #8 countersunk screw holes located 2″, 6″ and 12″ down from the top of board and 1″ and 2¼″ from the front of the board. These are mounting holes for the condo wall seat. This part is called the box left piece.

Part #3 being ¾″×3½″×12¾″ with a ¼″× 7/16″ deep dado located ¼″ from the back edge of the length of the board to allow the back to fit into. This part is called the box top.

Part #4 being ¾″×3½″×20½″ with a ¾″×1″ piece glued to the bottom face of the board. There is a ¾″×⅜″ deep dado located 1″ up from the bottom of the board. There is a ½″×½″ deep dado that looks like an L located 3/16″ above the ¾″×⅜″ deep dado to allow the seat pins to glide in. The L part of the dado stops ⅛″ back from the front edge of the board. The L shaped dado faces up at the front of the board. There is a ¼″× 7/16″ deep dado located ¼″ from the back edge of the length of the board to allow the back to fit into. There are 6 #8 counter sunk screw holes located 2″, 6″ and 12″ down from the top of the board and 1″ and 2¼″ in from the front edge of the board. These are mounting holes for the condo seat. This part is called box right piece.

Part #5 this holds the seat perpendicular to the wall when the seat is slid under it. Part #5 could consist of two pieces. The top piece being ¾″×3½″×12¾″. The lower piece being a beveled one measuring 2¼″ at the top and 1 13/16″ at the bottom ¾″ thick and 12¾″ long. The lower piece is attached to the upper using 4, 2″ #8 screws so the back of the boards are flush. The top board is a vertical board the lower board is perpendicular to the upper board with the longer point of the bevel being up. This part is called the two piece seat stop.

Part #6 being ¾″×12⅝″×17 13/16″, this part has a ⅝″ round over on one side of the 12⅝″ lengths only and at the location of the board it shall have ½″ dowel inserted at each side the board at the round over location only. The holes shall be drilled 9/16″ to the center from the bottom edge of the round over and centered on either edge of the board being 17 13/16″ long. These holes shall be ½″ diameter and drilled 1″ deep. This part is called the seat.

Part #7¾″×17″×22¼″ these dimensions are the long points of 45 degree angles of a picture frame. Two pieces being ¾″×2″×17″ and two pieces being ¾″×2″×22¼″. This part is called the box frame.

Part #8 (BH) being ¼″×13⅝″×18 13/16″ this part is called the box back. This piece shall be a hardboard or plywood.

These could be the eight parts to the condo wall seat, it could have one magnetic catch installed at the center of part 3, 13/16″ back from the front edge and the plate to the catch be mounted to the back side of part 6 at ⅝″ down from the top of the seat and centered on seat. A pull knob shall be installed at the top of part 6 center of seat 2″ down from the top, the top being the opposite end of the round over.

Part Changes for Conventional Stud Framing at 24″ Centers.

-   Part #1 shall change in length to 21 9/16″ all other dimensions     shall remain same. -   Part #2 shall remain the same. -   Part #3 shall change in length to 20¾″ all other dimensions shall     remain the same. -   Part #4 shall remain the same. -   Part #5 shall change in length to 20¾″ all other dimensions shall     remain the same. -   Part #6 shall change in width to 20⅝″ all other dimensions shall     remain the same. -   Part #7 shall change in width to 25″ all other dimensions shall     remain the same. -   Part #8 shall change in width to 21⅝″ all other dimensions shall     remain the same.

Fabrication of the Condo Wall Seat.

To fabricate the condo wall seat start with part #2 and insert part #1 into the ¾″×⅜″ deep dado at the bottom of part #2 once done insert part #8 onto the ¼″× 7/16″ deep dado at the back of part #1 and part #2. Take part #4 and align part #1 into the ¾″×⅜″ dado at the same time insert the protruding ½″ dowel on part #6 into the L shaped dado on part #2 and part #4 aligning the ¼″× 7/16″ dado at the back of part #4 and snap together. Take part #3 and slip it between parts 2 and 4 aligning the ¼″× 7/16″ dado on part #3 into part #8 and push down until part #3 is flush at the top of part #2 and part #4. The condo wall seat should be together. At this time we will fasten the parts together using #8, 2″ screws. Drill parts #2 and #4 at 1⅜″ up from bottom and in from the front and back edges ⅝″ with a #8 counter sink 1¾″ deep and insert 4 #8, 2″ screws, this will fasten parts 2 and 4 to part #1. Keeping part #3 flush with the tops of part 2 and part 4 drill with a #8 counter sink 1¾″ deep at the back edge of parts 2 and 4, ⅜″ down from the tops of boards 2 and 4 and ⅞″ in from the back edge inset 2 #8 2″ screws this will fasten the top part of parts #2 and #4 to part #3 measuring in from the front edge of parts 2 and 4⅝″ and down from the top of parts 2 and 4 #⅜″ using a #8 counter sink drill two holes 1¾″ deep and insert 2 #8 2″ screws at this time the condo wall seat should be fasten together. At this time lower part #6 so it is perpendicular to the box and slide the seat back until it touches the back of the box or part #8. Insert part #5 between parts 2 and 4 and rest on top of part #6 leaving 1/16″ reveal between the two parts, be sure that part #5 fits tight against part #8. To secure part #5 to parts 2 and 4 measure up from the bottom of parts 2 and 4, 3″ and 6¼″ and in from the back edge ⅞″ and drill with a #8 counter sink 1¾″ deep holes and insert 2 #8 2″ screws through part 2 and part 4 this will secure part 5 to parts 2 and 4. Measure up 3″ off the bottom of parts 2 and 4 and in from the front edge 1¼″ and drill 2 holes with a #8 counter sink 1¾″ deep and insert 2 #8 2″ screws. Measure up from the bottom of parts #2 and #4 3¾″ and 5¾″ and in from the back edge ⅞″ and drill a ⅜″ hole 1¾″ deep add tight bond glue to the holes and install 4, ⅜″×1¾″ oak dowels at those locations. The condo wall seat should now be operational. Now we will fasten the frame part #7 to the front of the box using 1¼″ pocket screws located at the front edge of parts 2 and 4 measuring up from the bottom of parts 2 and 4, 3″, 8″, 12½″ and 17½″ drill for a 1¼″ pocket screw. Measuring in from the left side and on the front edge of parts #1 and part #3, 2½″, 6½″ and 10½″ drill for 1¼″ pocket screws. Install the 14, 1¼″ pocket screws and the fabrication of the condo wall seat is complete.

Another way to fabricate the condo wall seat would be eliminated the #8, 2″ screws, using ¼″ dowels in the screw locations, that would be glued in.

Installation Instructions

Located where you want to install the condo wall seat and measure up off the floor 15½″ and draw a level line between the wall studs. Measure up from the 15½″ line 20⅝″ and draw a level line between the wall studs. Draw a plumb line down both inside edges of the wall studs. Your drywall cut out dimension should be 14⅜″×20⅝″. Before cutting out drywall check for plumbing pipes or electrical wiring by making a smaller hole within the cut out location. Once you have found the stud bay clear of obstructions cut drywall out on the proscribed lines with a drywall saw and install the 2 pieces of 2×4 supplied by sliding one piece down each side of the wall studs they should line up with the lower line of the drywall cutout, slide condo wall seat into opening and pre drill the 12 marked counter sunk holes using a ⅛″ drill bit, insert the 12 #8, 2½″ screws and you are finished. Make sure that the seat is slid back into the line before use.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the disclosed embodiments, numerous modifications and variations can be made and still the result will come within the scope of the invention. No limitation with respect to the specific embodiments disclosed herein is intended or should be inferred. Each apparatus embodiment described herein has numerous equivalents. 

I claim:
 1. A fold down seat for mounting in a recess in a wall, the fold down seat comprising: a rectangular cabinet sized to fit between two vertical studs in a wall; said cabinet having fasteners capable of securing each of its left and right vertical sides to the vertical studs; a fold down seat comprises a front face of the cabinet which is flush with the wall in a closed position; said cabinet having an interior space which houses the fold down seat in the closed position; said left and right vertical sides comprising mirror images of each other, each having a lower segment with a horizontal slot running from a front edge to a rear edge so as to form an opening at the rear edge of the vertical side; each horizontal slot having a vertical notch near the front edge at the front extremity of the horizontal slot; wherein the front extremity of the horizontal slot does not protrude beyond a front edge of the vertical side; said fold down seat further comprising a pin protruding from its rear left side and a pin protruding from its rear right side, said pins sharing a common horizontal axis alignment; said pins sized to slide back and forth in the horizontal slots; a bracket mounted above the horizontal slots and fastened to each vertical side and a back panel of the cabinet; a bottom plank of the cabinet secures a bottom of each vertical side together and runs under the horizontal slots; wherein pulling the fold down seat outbound from a horizontal position cause the pins to move into the vertical notches and permits the fold down seat to be folded up to the closed position; and wherein pushing the fold down seat in the horizontal position rearward against the back panel provides a brace for the fold down seat comprising the bracket and the bottom plank.
 2. The fold down seat of claim 1, wherein the cabinet further comprises a top plank.
 3. The fold down seat of claim 2, wherein the top plank further comprises a first fastener which attaches to a second fastener which is mounted to an inside top surface of the fold down seat.
 4. The fold down seat of claim 1, wherein the bottom plank further comprises a wedge strip along its top outside surface, thereby providing a perpendicular angle to the back of the fold down seat in an open and weighted mode.
 5. The fold down seat of claim 1, wherein each side further comprises a lower segment with a cutout to receive the bottom plank.
 6. The fold down seat of claim 1, wherein each side further comprises a vertical rear slot which secures the back panel.
 7. The fold down seat of claim 1, wherein the bracket further comprises an angled front edge on its lower member to provide a space for a rear beveled edge of the fold down seat to rotate during the opening and closing of the seat.
 8. The fold down seat of claim 1, further comprising an all wood construction.
 9. A folding seat assembly for mounting in a recess in a wall the folding seat assembly comprising: a rectangular frame having a top, a bottom and a pair of mirror image sides; each of the sides having a lower segment with an interior horizontal slot; a fold down seat comprises a flat panel with pins at a rear segment that slide in the horizontal slots; a support bracket secured between the sides and over the horizontal slots; wherein the fold down seat is moved to a closed mode by pulling the fold down seat pins out to a front segment of the horizontal slots, and then folded upward; and wherein the fold down seat is moved to an open mode by pushing the fold down seat pins in to a rear segment of the horizontal slots, and securing the fold down seat between the bottom and the support bracket.
 10. The folding seat assembly of claim 9, wherein the support bracket further comprises a rectangular bracket with a lower member having an angled cutout.
 11. The folding seat assembly of claim 10, wherein each horizontal slot further comprises a forward vertical cutout.
 12. The folding seat assembly of claim 9, wherein the rectangular frame further comprises a back panel that forms a rear wall of each horizontal slot.
 13. The folding seat assembly of claim 9 further comprising an all wood construction. 